Overview
The Outreach Specialist will be responsible for supporting our public outreach activities and exploring new opportunities to engage the community in our mission. Responsibilities will include taking the lead in organizing and managing community events, engaging and working alongside our Community Programs Manager, supporting our Outdoor Classroom program, and serving as an ambassador on behalf of ESF at community events.
Reporting to the Community Programs Manager, the Outreach Specialist will also be responsible for continuing program evaluation, to help us better determine how we might improve programming to better serve our community.
This is a part-time position, and the right candidate will share our commitment to conserving Elkhorn Slough and be eager to engage the community in our mission in creative ways.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
• Collaborate with staff to broaden community engagement by organizing member events
• Lead member events including hikes, kayak trips, and other outings, and help to interpret the natural landscape and native species
• Support volunteers and educators during monthly site visits of elementary students at our Carneros Creek Outdoor Classroom
• Conduct observations during programming and facilitate small group discussions for further reflection. Analyze data, assess the impact of programming, and share findings with stakeholders. Participate in the collaborative process of planning lessons
• Work with Development staff to organize and coordinate fundraising and community events for donors and supporters
• Represent ESF at public events by tabling and sharing our mission with the community
• General administrative duties as needed
Candidate Characteristics and Qualifications
• Well-developed interpersonal communication skills that foster cooperation and consensus-building among colleagues and volunteers
• Fluency and literacy in Spanish are highly desirable for this position
• Experience in community engagement or outdoor education is highly desirable
• Familiarity with land stewardship practices and native flora; or, if unfamiliar, eagerness and willingness to learn
• Comfortable working alongside volunteers on stewardship projects that involve
collecting seeds, pulling invasive plants, installing native plants, and other aspects of
physical labor outdoors
• Enthusiastic about engaging under-served communities and interacting with the public
• Experience with event management and volunteer coordination
• Highly organized and able to flexibly respond to competing priorities
Requirements
• Weekend and evening work will often be required for hosting/attending public events
• This position requires the following pre-employment screening (to be completed after an offer has been extended): successfully fulfilling school district (PVUSD) requirements for work with K-12 students (background check, fingerprinting, TB Test)
• Able to lift 30 lbs. comfortably and safely
• Must hold a valid California Driver’s license and have a good driving record with a minimum of two years of driving experience
Work Environment
In addition to working within an office environment, this position requires a significant outdoor work component. Outdoor work will entail exposure to variable weather conditions and natural hazards, such as poison oak, ticks, other wildlife, etc. This position anticipates up to 55% of time in the field.
Physical Demands
Access hiking trails on protected lands involving moderately strenuous terrain and through dense vegetation. Sea kayaking in Elkhorn Slough with the ability to paddle solo for up to 3 hours.